Cutting, shaping, embossing, and wrapping machine for butter or similar plastic material



May 21, 1940. B. ROTTENBERG SHAPING, EMBOSSING, AND WRAPPING MACHINE FOR CUTTING BUTTER OR SIMILAR PLASTIC MATERIAL Filed April 2, 1937 16 Sheets-Sheet 1 f5 WITN E5955 INVENTOR dergamm jfoflfen BY 4741442444 W 1940. B. ROTTENBERG 2,201,872

CUTTING, SHAPING, EMBOSSING, AND WRAPPING MACHINE FOR BUTTER 0R SIMILAR PLASTIC MATERIAL Filed April 2, 1957 16 Sheets-Sheet 2 :6? WITNESSES 70 AL' INVENTOR a l? .i/n 391 mm floa y b69759 May 21, 1940. B. ROTTENBERG CUTTING, SHAPING, EMBOSSING, AND WRAPPING MACHINE FOR BUTTER 0R SIMILAR PLASTIC MATERIAL Filed April 2, 1937 16 Sheets-Sheet 4 arm-E iiimm... ll

NES ES INVENTOR; ;.d Z (Fergamzn Jioiffenbevy May 21, 1940. B. ROTTENBERG 2,201,372

CUTTING, SHAPING, EMBOSSING, AND WRAPPING MACHINE FOR BUTTER 0R SIMILAR PLASTIC MATERIAL Filed April 2, 1937 16 Sheets-Sheet 5 lNVE TOR ergamzn R0 n6ely.

WITNESSES M 254a? BY W W1 ATTORNEYS- May 21, 1940.? B. ROTTENBERG 2,201,872

CUTTING, SHAPING, EMBOSSING, AND WRAPPING MACHINE FOR BUTTER 0R SIMILAR PLASTIC MATERIAL Filed April 2, 1957 16 Sheets-Sheet 6 I INVENTOR WWQESSES. Jfenjamlln Roiinfiery.

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16 Sheets-Sheet 7 INVENTOR AREYS y 1940. a. ROTTENBERG CUTTING, SHAPING, EMBOSSING, AND WRAPPING MACHINE FOR BUTTER 0R SIMILAR PLASTIC MATERIAL Filed April 2, 1937 y 21, 1940- B. ROTTENBERG 2,201,872

cu'r'rme, SHAPING, EMBOSSING, AND WRAPPING MACHINE FOR BUTTER on SIMILAR PLASTIC MATERIAL Filed April 2, 1937 16 Sheets-Sheet 8 INVENTOR zfiezghmin Raffen e y ATTORNEY WINESSES B. ROTTENBERG 2,201,872

May 21, 1940.

CUTTING, SHAPING, EMBOSSING, AND WRAPPING MACHINE FOR BUTTER OR SIMILAR PLASTIC MATERIAL Filed April 2, 1937 16 Sheets-Sheet 9 WITNESSES 12; I ZZZ-M M ay M ATTORNEYS May 21, 1940. B. ROTTENBERG 2,291,872

CUTTING, SHAPING, EMBOSSING, AND WRAPPING MACHINE FOR BUTTER 0R SIMILAR PLASTIC MATERIAL Filed April 2, 1957 16 Sheets-Sheet 1O n g m [III/A IIIJ will/II,

A3 189 INVENTOR 1&7 i9 n fgarnul, Rai'i'enery.

y 1, 1940. B. ROTTENBERG 2,201,372

CUTTING, SHAPING, EMBOSSING, AND WRAPPING MACHINE FOR BUTTER 0R SIMILAR PLASTIC MATERIAL Filed April 2, 1937 16 Sheets-Sheet 12 n II n nun-.-

WITNESSES INVENTOR fien m flowery.

ATTORN EYS May 21, 1940. ROTTENBERG 2,201,872

' CUTTING, SHAPING, EMBOSSING, AND WRAPPING MACHINE FOR u 1 BUTTER on SIMILAR PLASTIC MATERIAL Filed April 2, 1937 16 Sheets-Sheet 13 INVENTOR Bergman fiofienery.

. 3 I Y arfm I wwwzfi May 21, 1940.

B. ROTTENBERG 2,201,872

CUTTING, SHAPING, EMBOSSING, AND WRAPPING MACHINE FOR BUTTER OR SIMILAR PLASTIC MATERIAL Filed April 2, 1937 16 Sheets-Sheet 14 INVENTOR M ATTORNEY? May 21, 1940. 2,201,872

CUTTING, SHAPING, EMBOSSING, AND WRAPPING MACHINE FOR B. ROTTENBERG BUTTER OR SIMILAR PLAsTIc MATERIAL Filed A ril 2, 19:57 16 Sheets-Shet 15 INVENTOR nBen amLn fioitenze y BY Y WK W A ATTORNEYS May 21,- 1940. ROTTENBERG 2,201,872

CUTTING, SHAPING, EMBOSSING, AND WRAPPING MACHINE FOR 1 BUT'I'ER on SIMILAR PLASTIC MATERIAL Filed April 2, 1937 16 Sheets-Sheet 16 wrrmzsszs 752 R ,Beiz amin Roi-lener'g azm WZ MMM ATTORN l-w Patented May 21, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CUTTING,

SHAPING, EMBOYS SING,

AND

WRAPPING MACHINE FOR BUTTER OR SIMILAR PLASTIC MATERIAL 17 Claims.

This invention relates to a cutting machine, and has for an object to provide an improved construction wherein a comparatively large lump of plastic material, as butter, is moved from place 5 to place andacted upon so that eventually it will be cut into small chips or blocks embossed with a letter or other legend, wrapped, and final-- ly discharged.

Another object of the invention is to provide a machine for cutting butter or other plastic material into small blocks or chips from a large block, the structure being such that the large block is first sliced, then embossed, and finally cut into the desired number of small blocks.

An additional object is to provide a cutting machine wherein a large block may be cut into small blocks or chips, the structure being such that the parts may be readily adjusted to secure blocks or chips of various thicknesses according to the desire of the cutter.

An additional object is to'provide a cutting machine'which is adapted to cut a large supply of butter or other plastic material into small blocks or chips, emboss and wrap the same with- 25 out the .necessity of the butter or other material being touched by the hands of the operator.

In the accompanying drawings- Fig. 1 is a side view of approximately one-half of a butter cutting machine disclosing an embodi- 30 ment of the invention;

Fig. 1' is a side view of the other half of the butter cutting machine to that shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the structure shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 2 is a side view of the structure shown in Fig. 1, but looking at the machine from the opposite side;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view through Fig. 2 approximately on the line 2 --2 Fig. 2 is a sectional view through Fig. 2 approximately on the line 2 -2 Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the structure shown in Fig. 1

Fig, 3 is a fragmentary view partly in section illustrating how power is transmitted to conveyor belts, embossing mechanism and paper feed;

Fig. 4 is a side elevation of the structure shown in Fig. 1, but showing the opposite side of the 0 machine;

Fig. 5 is'a top plan view on an enlarged scale of the wrapping and ejecting mechanism shown in Figs. 1 and 2, certain parts being eliminated for better illustrating the operating structure;

Fig. 6 is a sectional view through Fig. 2 approximately on the line 6-5, the same showing principally an elevation of the slicing mechanism;

Fig. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary view partly in section showing a swinging adjustment for the cutting wire illustrated in Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is an edge view of the upper part of the structure shown in Fig. 6;

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary sectional view through Fig. 7 approximately on the line 9-9;

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary sectional view through Fig. 2 approximately on the line |0l0, the same showing gripping and swinging mechanism embodying certain features of the invention;

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view showing principally in top plan view the cams and associated mechanism illustrated in Fig. 10;

Fig. 11 is a detail view showing the gripper member illustrated in Fig. 6;

Fig. 12 is a fragmentary view illustrating means for retracting the clamps shown in Fig. 10;

Fig. 12 is a sectional view through Fig. 12 approximately on the line l2 -l2 Fig. 13 is a fragmentary sectional view illustrating a holding mechanism for the clamps shown in Fig. 12;

Fig. 14 is a view partly in elevation and partly in section illustrating a transfer belt and associated mechanism;

Fig. 15 is a fragmentary elevation of part of the butter clamping and swinging mechanism shown in Fig. 10, the same being taken on line I5 l5 of Fig. 14;

Fig, 16 is a fragmentary side view of the mechanism shown in Fig. 15, together with part of the swinging mechanism arranged thereabove;

Fig. 17 is a fragmentary sectional view through Fig. 14 approximately on the line l'|--l'l, illustrating the releasing mechanism for releasing the butter from the grippers shown in Fig. 10;

Fig. 18 is an enlarged perspective view of the rocking bar, releasing bar, and associated parts shown in Fig. 17;

Fig, 19 is a fragmentary sectional view through Fig. 20 approximately on the line l9i9;

Fig. 20 is a view principally in side elevation showing the drive mechanism for the printing rollers shown in Fig. 21;

Fig. 21 is a fragmentary side elevation of the printing rollers shown in Figs. 1 and 2 and associated parts;

Fig. 22 is a sectional view through Fig. 21 approximately on line 22-22;

Fig. 23 is a fragmentary sectional view through Fig. 20 approximately on line 23-23;

Fig. 24 is an edge view of the upper structure shown in Fig. 23;

Fig. 25 is a sectional view through Fig. 24 approximately on the line 25-25, the same being on an enlarged scale;

Fig. 26 is a sectional view through Fig, 37 approximately on the line ZS-28;

Fig. 27 is a fragmentary sectional view through Fig. 28 approximately on the line 2I2'I;

Fig. 28 is a top plan view of the structure shown in Fig. 27 and associated parts, the same bein on a slightly reduced scale;

Fig. '29 is a perspective view of the releasing bar shown in Fig. 5;

Fig. 30 is an elevation of the structure shown in Fig. 31;

Fig. 31 is a top plan view of the cam and associated parts shown in Fig. 37;

Fig. 32 is a longitudinal vertical sectional view through Fig. 2 approximately on the line 3232, certain of the moving parts being eliminated for the purpose of clearness;

Fig. 33 is a view similar to Fig. 32, but showing the parts on an enlarged scale and only the central portion of the structure illustrated in Fig. 32 with one folding finger in clamping position and the other in a raised position;

Fig. 34 is a view of the parts shown in Fig. 33, but in an advanced position;

Fig. 35 is an enlarged view of the cam and associated parts shown in Fig. 37;

Fig. 36 is a view similar to Fig. 35, except that the cam has been moved almost to its upper eX- treme position;

Fig. 37 is a sectional view through Fig. 5 approximately on the line 31-31, the same being on an enlarged scale;

Fig. 38 is a transverse view on an enlarged scale through Fig. 37 approximately on the line 38-38;

Fig. 39 is a fragmentary sectional view on an enlarged scale through Fig. 37 approximately on the line 39-39;

Fig. 40 is a perspective view of a block of butter showing one slice severed from the block but still contacting therewith;

Fig. 41 is a perspective view illustrating a slice of butter as it progresses from block 4| to the wrapping mechanism;

Fig. 42 is a perspective view of a slice of butter after it has been embossed, cut, and wrapped:

Fig. 43 is a diagram showing a heater for the embossing rollers;

Fig. 44 is a diagram of the electric wiring showing the arrangement of heater and associated parts for the cutter;

Fig. 45 is a top plan view of a transfer carrier frame embodying certain features of the invention;

Fig. 46 is a fragmentary top plan view of part of a transfer carrier belt used on the frame shown in Fig. 45;

Fig. 4'! is a sectional view through Fig. 23 on line 41-41;

Fig. 48 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view through Fig. 4'7 on line 48-48;

Fig. 49 is a sectional view through Fig. 22 on line 4349;

Fig. 50 is an end view of a pusher bar and associated parts including the operating chain and guide rail.

Referring to the accompanying drawings by numerals, I indicates a frame provided with suitable side members together with suitable cross members so as to support the various parts in proper assembled relation. To the frame is secured a table or platform 2 by any suitable means, as for instance, bolts. This table or platform is shown in section in Fig. 23. On this table are mounted various brackets and other parts which support or hold in proper position certain moving parts hereinafter more fully described.

The lower part of frame I carries a motor 3 which may be an electric motor of any desired kind. This motor is connected with a gear reduction mechanism of any desired kind whereby the comparatively high speed of the motor 3 will be reduced to a much slower speed so as to drive the various parts at the prescribed speed. The reducing gear 4 may be of any desired kind and may be adjusted to vary the speed of rotation of the beveled gear 5 as shown in Fig. 2*. A suitable bracket 6 supports the casing of reducing gear structure 4, but it will be evident that this structure and the motor also may be supported by the frame I through any suitable means. Beveled gear 5 continually meshes with beveled gear I carried by shaft I4 rotatably mounted in a bearing 8, which bearing is mounted on a bracket 9 secured to frame I. Bracket 9 is provided with hearings or journal members I0 and II for rotatably supporting the main drive shaft l2. Beveled gear I3 transmits power from the shaft I4 rotatably mounted in bearing 8 and continually meshes with the beveled gear I5 rigidly secured to shaft I2. Shaft I2 transmits power through the beveled gear Ii to beveled gear II, which in turn rotates the shaft I8. Also the shaft I2 transmits power through the beveled gear I9 (Fig. 2) to beveled gear 20 so as to drive the mechanism at the opposite end of frame I from where the motor 3 is located.

As shown in Fig. 2 shaft I8 has rigidly secured thereto a cam 2I as well as cam 22. Cam 2| acts to rock the clutch lever 23 so as to move the clutch 24 into and out of clutching engagement with member 25 which is loosely mounted on shaft 26. Clutch 24 is splined to shaft 26 and has a sprocket wheel 21 rigidly secured thereto so that sprocket wheel 27 will rotate whenever the clutch member 24 rotates. During the functioning of the machine it will be understood that the shaft I2 continually rotates at an even speed and consequently the shaft l8 will also rotate at an even speed so that cams 2I and 22 are continually rotating. Cam 2I is so formed that for part of the time the clutch 24 is engaged and part of the time it is disengaged. This results in shaft 26 being given an intermittent rotary movement and also sprocket wheel 21 an intermittent rotary movement. This movement is transmitted from shaft I3 through the cam 22 to a reciprocating bar 28 (Fig. 2 which is adapted to strike the reciprocating rod 2! and raise the same. Rod 29 is provided with an adjustable stop 30 and aspring 3| which continually tends to lower the rod. The upper end of the rod is threaded at 32 and carries a nut 33 having gear teeth on the outer surface meshing with the gear wheel 34 which is rigidly secured to the adjustable pin 35. Pin 35 carries a hand knob 36. Whenever desired the operator may rotate knob 36 which will in turn rotate gear 34 which is in continuous mesh with the nut 33.

When the parts are rotated in one direction spring 3| is permitted to move the rod 25 downwardly so that the bar 28 will strike the same at an earlier time. Rod 28 is pivotally connected at 31 to the clutch member 25 so that when the friction members 24 and 25 are in engagement both clutch members will be moved a certain distance upon each rotation of cam 22. The opening in rod 29 which receives the pivot pin 31 is sufliciently elongated to take care of arc-shaped travel of pin 31 as .rod 29 reciprocates. The

' member '25 rotates in one direction through the upward movement of rod 29 and associated parts, and then by reason of spring 3| rotates back to the former position. This back and forth movement intermittently feeds the clutch member 24 forwardly, and consequently intermittently rotates the shaft 26 which is supported by suitable journal members 38 and 39. Shaft 26 extends through the guard plate 40 which is supported by suitable brackets 4| on the table 2. Shaft 26 is rigidly secured to the drum 42 carrying one end of the feed belt 43. -A sprocket chain 44, as shown in Fig. 3, connects sprocket 21 with a sprocket 45 which is rigidly secured to a clutch member 46 rigidly secured to the shaft 41 and coacting with the clutch member 46', which latter clutch member is splined to shaft 41. Shaft 41 is rigidly secured to the drum 48 that carries one end of the loading belt 49. The opposite end of belt 49 passes over the idler drum 50 which is carried by the shaft mounted in suitable bearings on the platform 2. A tension roller 52 engages the belt 49 near the center. This roller is rotatably mounted on a suitable U-shaped carrier 53 connected with the screw 54 which is threaded through the member 55 whereby the U-shaped member 53 may be raised and lowered, as shown in Fig. 1, to provide the desired tension for belt 49. As shown in Fig. 1 belt 49 passes over idler pulleys or rollers 56 and 51. b By the construction just described it will be noted that the loading belt 49 will intermittently move in the direction of the arrow 58, shown in Fig. 3. Also the feed belt 43 is intermittently fed forwardly in the direction of .the arrow 59, as shown in Fig. 3. Clutch member 46' may be slid away from clutch member 46 manually by operating the forked lever 46", whereby the loading belt 49 may be stopped any time without stopping the feed belt 43.

The loading belt 49 and associated parts may be known as station A, while the feed belt 43 and associated parts may be known as station B. Butter or other plastic material in a large load or block, as shown in Fig. 40, is placed on station A and is fed on to the belt of station B. When the term butter is used hereafter it will be understood that butter or other plastic material is intended. As belt 43 continues to move, the block of butter 60 will move toward the slicing mechanfsm or station C (shown in Fig. 1), and after a slice 6| has been made it is engaged by the gripper mechanism D (Figs. 1 and and then turned to a horizontal position and placed on the transfer structure E (Figs. 1 and 2) which consists of a carrier belt 62 and associated parts. From belt 62 the slice of butter passes to the embossing station F, then to the cutting station' G, engaging the wrapping paper on its passage from station F to station G. and finally to the wrapping and ejecting station H. The block 60 may be of any desired size, but is preferably made as 2. rectangular block, as shown in Fig. 40. and one desirable size is a block five inches high and six inches wide. The embossing station F and the cutting station G, as well as the other stations, must be all adjusted or proportioned to the size of the slice 6|.

In case a larger block is to be cut. suitable sized embossing rollers must be used and also the cutters in the cutting mechanism. G must be adjusted or new ones provided of a desired size and spacing to take care of the new sized block. The slice 6| (Fig. 41) is engaged by the gripping mechanism D and is laid down on the carrier belt 62 and then fed to the embossing mechanism F which embosses suitable letters or other legends 64, as shown in Fig. 41. This embossing is done while the slide 6| is in one piece and on both sides, although it could be embossed on one side by substituting a smooth plate for the plate shown. The embossedslice is then moved to a position beneath the cutting knives or blades of the mechanism G which cuts the slice into blocks or chips 85, as shown in Fig. 41. The parts are so proportioned that the letters or legends 64 will be positioned on the slice 6| so that there will be a letter or legend on any or all of the chips 65. as may be desired.

After the cutting mechanism has functioned. the butter is moved on to the wrapping and ejecting station H where it is automatically wrapped and then forced on the discharge platform 66. Upon the completion of the wrapping of the first chipped slice the ejecting mechanism moves the same on to platform 66 and when the next wrapped chipped slice is forced on to platform 66 it will in turn force the first wrapped chipped slice or package on to the platform 66 which may be substantially horizontal or may be inclined, as shown in Fig. 1. so that the wrapped chipped slice 61 (Fig. 42) may slide into a box or other container. When the wrapped chipped slice or package 6'! has been forced off of the platform 36 on to platform 66 the work of the machine has been completed.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 3, the feed belt 43 is supported by a number of rollers 69 which are journaled in suitable notches in the respective supporting rails 10. These rails are supported by the respective brackets 4| and 4|. Belt 43 extends from drum 42 over an idler H (Fig. 14) and then over the vertically adjustable drum 12. The .journal shaft 13 of drum I2 is carried by the adjusting screws 14, each screw 14 being provided .with a beveled gear at the upper end, and the gear 15 meshes with the beveled gear 16 carried by the horizontally positioned shaft 11 which extends to one side of the machine where a wrench or other device may be connected therewith for rotating gears 16 when it is desired to adjust the drum 12 upwardly or downwardly in order to secure a proper tension on belt 43. Screws 14 are carried by a suitable bracket 14 secured to the platform 2 in any desired manner. If desired, the apron 18 (Fig. 14) could be made removable. This apron is intended to guide and support the block 60 of butter adjacent its outer edge when the slicing mechanism C functions. and also to provide a resilient base 18" for cutting member 98.

When the machine is in operation, a block or continuous ribbon of butter 60 is fed on to the loading structure A by any suitable extrudin machine or other device, and from thence it is automatically fed on to the belt 43 and then automatically moved by belt 43 intermittently toward the apron 78 illustrated in Fig. 14. If a continuous ribbon of butter is not used, then as one block of butter leaves the loading structure A, another block is placed thereon manually or otherwise, as may be preferred. As the machine continues to function, successive blocks of butter must be placed in position on the loader and from then on the machine will automatically take care of the butter. When the butter reaches the apron 18 shown in Fig. 14, the next succeeding movement will cause the butter to project forwardly the thickness of the slice 6|, which may be adjusted to any thickness. If the intermittent movement of the belt 43 is a half inch upon each movement, the butter will project beyond the apron 18 one-half an inch. When this takes place and while the block of butter is stationary, the slicing mechanism moves downwardly and then upwardly for completing one cycle of operation. As the block of butter 60 is moved to project beyond the wooden or similar hygroscopic apron 18, it will project over the supporting bar 18' (Fig. 10), and the spring pressed member 19 (Fig. 11) supports and steadies the block 60 just behind the slicing member during the operation of cutting the slice 6I. While the projecting portion of the block is engaging bar 18' the cutting mechanism will function. During the time the block 60 is moving to project a portion beyond apron 18, the clamping members 19 will be held apart by catches I26 (Fig. 13) as hereinafter fully described. After the cutting member 98 has completed its cutting operation and is about to leave the block of butter, the pins 19" will engage the shoulders of bar 19 and will slightly raise this bar so that the block of butter may be readily fed forwardly for the next cutting operation.

The slicing mechanism is shown in detail in Figs, 6 to 9 inclusive. From these figures it will be observed that there is a guiding structure 80 carried by the platform 2, and through this guiding structure and also through platform 2 extends a vertical reciprocating rod 8I which at the lower end has a projection or roller 82 fittin into the cam groove 83 of cam 04. The upper end of the rod 8I extends through a slide block 85 and is rigidly clamped thereto by suitable nuts 86 and 81. Guiding rods 88 and 89 extend through the block 85 and into the guiding or supporting bracket 80 to which they are preferably rigidly secured. As the rod or bar 8| reciprocates, block 85 will slide up and down on the rods 88 and 89. These rods are rigidly secured to and support a top bar 90 to which is secured rod 9| (Figs. 6 and 11). This rod supports a cross bar 90 carrying sliding pins or bolts 90 secured to member 19. The springs 9| act to resiliently hold member 19 so that it will barely touch the block of butter 60 for steadying the same. Plates 92 and 93 (Fig. 6) are bolted or otherwise rigidly secured to block 85 and extend to one side thereof. Plate 92 is provided with a depending arm 95. as shown particularly in Fig. 7. An auxiliary arm 96 is pivotally mounted on plate 92 at 91. A cutting wire 98 is secured to pin 98 at the lower end of arm 96 and secured by pin I00 to the end portion IOI of bar 93. An adjusting screw I02 is carried by the auxiliary arm 96, as shown in Fig. '1, so that when it is pressed against the arm 95 it will swing arm 96 in a direction for maintaining the cutting wire 98 under a desired tension. When the cutting mechanism shown in Fig. 6 moves downwardly, wire 98 cuts the slice 6| from block 60 and then moves upwardly to the position shown in Fig. 14 so that the other mechanism may function. As the cutting wire 98 and associated parts move downward the cams I28 secured to plate 92 also move downwardly and engage the spring extensions I21 of springs I21 and swing these springs outwardly so that the catches I26 (Fig. 13) secured to the springs will be forced .out of their notches I25 in the stub shafts l2 which carry the clamping members 19', whereupon the springs I29 will force the clamping members 19 into clamping position in respect to the slice being formed. After the cutting operation is completed, the clamping members 18' shown in Fig. 10 will swing over to the dotted position shown in Fig. 14. This takes place in order that the slice of butter may be placed upon the transfer carrier belt 62. Following the downward swinging movement of the turning mechanism D, the release mechanism I08 moves downwardly to the dotted position shown in Fig. 14 and then back to its former position followed by a return movement of the turning mechanism D.

The turning mechanism D is provided with a rock shaft I05 rockably mounted in bracket I 05 which in turn is secured to platform 2. A gear wheel I06 is rigidly secured to rock shaft I05 and continually meshes with the vertically reciprocating rack I01. The bracket I05 has an auxiliary bracket I05" secured thereto which coacts with auxiliary bracket I06 carried by bracket I06". The auxiliary brackets I05" and I06 carry a roller I01 which acts to hold rack I01 in mesh with gear I06. Rack I01 is pivotally connected at I08 to an arm I09 (Fig. 11), which arm is journaled on shaft l I 0 supported in suitable journal boxes carried by the frame I. A roller III extends from arm I09 into the cam groove II2 of the cam I I2 so that whenever this cam rotates the parts will function. However, the shape of the cam groove I I2 is such that the rack I01 will function in proper time to coact with the slicing mechanism and the release mechanism I 04. Blocks II3 are rigidly secured to rock shaft I05 and upstanding rods I I6 are secured at their lower ends to these blocks so as to swing therewith. On each of the rods II6 are mounted upper and lower sliding brackets II5, as shown particularly in Figs. 10 and 16, and carried by these brackets are arms II4. Springs II8 surround the respective rods II6 above the upper brackets H5 and act on these brackets and on abutments II9 connected to the respective rods at their upper ends. These springs tend to hold the respective brackets H5 and arms H4 in their lowered position. However, whenever the shaft I05 rocks for approximately a quarter of a revolution the roller I20 (Fig. 16) carried by the transverse rod I2I will strike the cam I22, whereupon transverse rod I2I, brackets H5 and associated parts will move outwardly. The cam I22 is provided with a notch I22 whereby this cam may slide over the shaft I05. An adjusting screw I23 acts on cam I22 to move the same toward and from shaft I05 so as to vary the amount of outward movement of the brackets H5 and associated parts. Cam I22 is mounted to slide on bracket I23 secured to bracket I05. The bracket I23 is provided with a pair of plates or turned-in members I23 to guide the cam as it moves under the action of screw I23.

Referring to Figs. 10 and 13, it will be seen that the respective clamps 19' are each 'provided with a stud shaft I24. Each shaft is provided with a notch I25 for receiving the catch I26 extending from the respective springs I21. When the clamps 19' first move over the slice 6I they are held spaced apart by reason of the catch I26 (Fig. 13) being in notch I25. When the slicing mechanism C moves downwardly the cams I28 (Fig. 14) strike the extensions I21 of springs I21 and pull the catches I26 out of the respective 

